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This statue of George O'Brien Jr., Big Spring's only Medal of Honor recipient, stands in front of the local VA medical center. Legislation was recently introduced in Congress to rename the hospital in O'Brien's honor. (HERALD photo/Steve Reagan) By STEVE REAGAN
Staff Writer
The Big Spring VA Medical Center may soon be renamed in honor of a local military hero.
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, has introduced a bill in Congress to rename the local VAMC as the George H. O'Brien Jr. Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. O'Brien, a long-time Big Spring resident and graduate of Big Spring High School, received the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military honor, for valor shown while serving with the U.S. Marines during the Korean War. “Mr. O’Brien’s story of bravery is humbling and it will remain embedded in the hearts and minds of Texans forever,” Cornyn said in a statement. “We owe a debt of gratitude to all veterans, including the more than 1.7 million men and women from Texas whose sacrifices have ensured that we may continue to live out the vision of our Founding Fathers.” O'Brien, a 1944 Big Spring High School graduate, served in the U.S. Merchant Marines from 1944 to 1946, then enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves in 1949. He was ordered to active duty in 1951 and soon saw action in Korea. At the Battle for the Hook on Oct. 27, 1952, O'Brien's conduct went “above and beyond the call of duty.” According to the official Medal of Honor citation, O'Brien, then a 2nd Lieutenant, “led his men up the enemy-held hill through a virtual hail of deadly small-arms, artillery and weapon fire ... Struck down by the concussion of grenades on three occassions ... he steadfastly refused to be evacuated for medical treatment and continued to lead his platoon for a period of nearly four hours, repeatedly encouraging his men and maintaining superb direction of the unit.” Following his discharge from duty, O'Brien returned to Big Spring to raise his family and was very active as a volunteer at the VA medical center. A statue of him was unveiled on the medical center grounds last November. “We are very honored to be able to rename the hospital in honor of Mr. O'Brien, the only Medal of Honor recipient from Big Spring,” said Daniel L. Marsh, medical center director. A renaming ceremony will be planned once the legislation is signed by President Obama, local officials said.
Contact Staff Writer Steve Reagan at 263-7331 ext. 234 or by e-mail at
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